Beat the Afternoon Slumps—Stay Energized All Day

Every day that time comes when your eyelids get droopy and all motivation falls away—the dreaded afternoon slump. Especially in the office, the afternoon slump in unavoidable. Luckily, there are ways you can prevent getting tired midday. With these helpful tips, staying energized all day has never been easier.

Take Frequent Breaks

Our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter each year with the average span in 2015 just passing 8.25 seconds, smaller than a goldfish. When we get tired or fall into the afternoon slump, it can be hard to keep focused on the work in front of us.

In order to keep your attention on the tasks you have at hand, it’s important that you take frequent breaks throughout the workday. This way you lower the risk of burning out from working hard in the morning and you can stay energized all day.

Eat Healthy Snacks to Stay Energized

When most people get tired, they reach for sugary and caffeinated snacks like coffee, candy, or doughnut. The truth is that those snacks can actually drain you of energy and make your afternoon slump that much harder to get out of. The next time you get hungry after lunch, try reaching for some healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, or peanut butter that can give you long lasting energy.

Get Up and Move Around the Office

Nothing beats the afternoon slumps and helps you stay energized all day like some office exercise or “deskercise.” Something as simple as taking a walk around the office when you start to feel tired can wake you right up. You can also try doing some yoga in your workspace or simple leg lifts that can be done without leaving your chair.

Stay Energized by Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated is the key to staying energized all day long. Caffeinated drinks like energy shots and coffee dehydrate you making your body work harder to stay awake. Try investing in a reusable water bottle that you can keep at your desk to remind you to drink water throughout the day. If you aren’t a fan of drinking plain water, try sprucing yours up with freshly cut lemon, mint, or cucumber.

Switch Your Workflow Up

The last tip for beating the afternoon slump is to switch up your routine. Monotony is energy’s number one enemy, and most people’s work days are extremely monotonous. While some things like meetings and lunch can’t be switched up much in your daily schedule, you can try moving around your usual tasks. If you generally start the day with emails and then move on to projects, try flip flopping your routine to spice things up and keep yourself on your toes.